Hyundai Excel & Accent Haynes Repair Manual (1986-2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this directly from the Haynes website, since I couldn't find it locally (in Ontario, Canada) at the time I purchased it (about two months ago). Haynes proudly states "Based on a complete teardown and rebuild" on the front of each of their manuals. That may have been true at one point in time, which is why I purchased their manual this time around, but I have to say if they did in fact do a complete teardown and rebuild, they did a lousy job getting their point across to the reader. I've used this book for only a few small jobs I needed help with, and each time I needed to use the book it was lacking information.
Example # 1 : I had to do a small job like changing the windshield wipers. Now this is by no means a complex job, but I wanted to see how the manual could assist me. For instance, what type of wiper arm does my car have? J-Hook Arms? P&H Arms? Pin Arms? Bayonet Arms? PTB Arms? or I&L Arms? Good luck trying to find out because it's not in the manual. Fortunately I was able to find out on an external website.
Example #2 : I had to change my spark plugs recently because my cars performance was slipping. The directions they list for changing your spark plugs are horrible! They feature 1 picture related to this task (and 5 other pictures that don't really help you understand HOW to change the spark plug, rather they show you a picture of gapping the spark plug, what type of tools you need, etc.). That picture is of a ratchet with an extension reaching into where the spark plug sits, but it's such a close up shot that you don't know where exactly on the motor you're looking to access the spark plug. I think somebody who's reading this manual (I.E: somebody who's a bit unknowledgeable about car repairs, like myself, which is why I purchased the book in the first place) needs a bit more help with maybe a wide shot (zoomed out) with arrows pointing to the general location of the item that needs attention indicating where the access point(s) are/is, followed up by a closer shot.
Some people will tell you to register on third party websites, or purchase additional materials but the point of this review is to review THIS BOOK, and this book alone. That's it. I am fully aware of the Hyundai forums out there (I belong to 3 of them!) and the Hyundai Motor American Service Information website (in fact, I'm registered on it!) but like I said : "the point of this review is to review THIS BOOK, and this book alone."
Honestly, this book has really disappointed me. I feel Haynes should offer an unconditional money-back guarantee because if they did...they wouldn't have put out such a lackluster product. 2 stars is probably 1 too many but I didn't want to be too cruel.

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